Hydraulic grinding control



Sept. 4, 1951 MARCO 2,566,949

HYDRAUL I C GRINDI NG CONTROL Filed 001;. 17, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

JUN/V A A 0 Sept. 4, 1951 J. MARCO HYDRAULIC GRINDING CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001:. 17, 1946 INVENTOR. ,e/x/ MA A 60 A rrcmzvam we? Sept. 4, 1951 .1. MARCO 2,566,949

HYDRAULIC GRINDING CONTROL Filed 001;. 17, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 II E- INVENTOR. J0 H/V MA R CO Patented Sept. 4, 1951 HYDRAULIC GRINDING CONTROL John Marco, Wilmington, Del., assignor to Marco Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 17, 1946, SerialiNo. 703,837

Claims. 1

My invention relates to the grinding of solids in a liquid medium. I have provided a machine or apparatus in which hydraulic pressure means is adjustable to maintain substantially constant grinding clearances automatically, regardless of normal wear, whereby products processed may have a uniform consistency.

It is an object of my invention to provide in a substantially constant speed grinder an equilibration means or by-pass whereby the filament of material, carrying solid particles, may be made thinner so that the solid particles may be reduced by a condition of close physical proximity of the grinding and shearing surfaces.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a dual adjustment means whereby a hydraulic adjustment and a subsequent mechanical adjustment may be made substantially equal to the hydraulic adjustment whereby a failure of the hydraulic adjustment will not prevent the successful operation of my grinder.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a hydraulic pressure means using theliquid pressure of the material being processed as the material is forced into my novel grinding machine for the processing thereof.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a temperature control means for my grinding machine.

Other objects and advantages will be revealed inv the detailed description of my drawings which constitute a part of my specification.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front end elevational View of my new grinding machine showing more particularly both the hydraulic and mechanical adjustments; 1

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The drawings are merely illustrative of a preferred form of my invention and not definitive thereof except as claimed herein.

The reference characters identify the principal parts'and details in both the drawings and specification.

In the drawings, the casing I is provided with a rear supporting head 2 which is adapted to be secured on a pump (not shown) by means of bolts passing through a flange 3. Interposed between casing Iand the rear head 2 is a grinder plate or stationary stator 4 and agasket plate 2 5. 'Both of these plates are secured to the casing I by bolts 6 passing through both plates, the rear head and engaging the casing and cap nuts I. The stator 4 is provided with an annular cavity 8 to receive a temperature control fluid to be circulated therethrough by Vmeans (not shown).

The opposite end of the casing I is provided with a front head 9 comprising an inner plate I0 and an-outer plate II secured to ,the casing I by bolts I2 passing through both plates l0 and II and engaging the casing.

' The front head 9 carries a dual control means I3 for a floating stator I4 within the casing I. The plate II is provided with a tubular support I5 preferably integral therewith and centrally located thereon. Thesupport I5 is externally screw threaded to receive an internally .screw threaded cap or pressure member It. Thetubular support I5 is provide'd'with adjustable tubular elements [-1 and I8 telescopically slidable therein. The element I'I extends to aposition within'the casing I and is provided with a laterally extending disc I9 preferably integral therewith. The disc I9 is provided withprojections 20 which engagethe floatingstator I4. The element I'I may be made of steel 'orstainless steel or other suitable material while the element I8 is made of softer material such as bronze or any other suitable alloy or' even plastic material. The element I8 servesas a thrust bearing. The

head 9 is provided with an indicating dial 2| se-- cured'thereto by any-suitable means suchasbolts 22. The cap I6 is provided with-a pointer 23 to cooperate with the dial 22 toindicate the amount of adjustment which has been "made. In order to make minute adjustments easily the cap I6 is provided with handles 24.

The floating stator I4 slidably fits closely within the casing I but in order to provide a nearly perfect fluid-seal the stator is provided with, at at least, one piston ring 25. All of the four physically contacting faces of the stator I4, the rotor '26 and the stationary stator 4 are grinding surfaces provided with a series of concentrically arranged indentations or cavities such as disclosed in Figures 3, 4, 5 andlO of my Patent No. 2,255,071, granted September 9, 1941.

In order to maintain sufficient hydraulic pressure back of the floating stator I4, the forward surface portion has been made smaller or reduced in area by cutting away or bevel-ing the for-.- ward edge M The pressure in the annular channel 26 about the rotarystator 26, is only slightly greater, because of theforce of gravity,

than the pressure in the exit tube 41. Since the pressure is directly proportional to the area, it is conclusive, therefore, that the stator M will be maintained and controlled in comminuting or grinding contact with the rotor 26 automatically by the fluid pressure in the machine, in that, the hydraulic pressure area on the larger side of the floating stator 14 is greater than the hydraulic pressure area on the smaller side thereof.

It is realized and appreciated that to every force there always exists a corresponding force which is equal and oppositely directed. All of the four approximately and substantially contacting faces of the stators 4 and I4 and the rotor 26 are maintained under substantially. the same pressure or force either automatically by fluid pressure or by mechanical pressure or both.

It is contemplated that the floating stator l4 may be provided with temperature control means whereby either hot or coldffluid may be circulated therethrough to provide any temperature that condition require.

The rotor 26 has a splined connection with the shaft 21. The shaft 21 .is connected directly to a pump (not shown) whereby the shaft 21 and the rotor 26 are propelled. The shaft 21 is preferably cross-shaped in contour in a transverse section thereof. This particular contour provides for the flow of a liquidmedium containing solids into the grinding stators. The rotor 26 is provided with spaced apertures 28 to allow free fiow of the material being treated. Confronting side faces of the stator and the rotors are provided with recesses 29, 30, 3| and 32 centrally located therein. Each recess is provided with an inclined portion merging into the grinding surface. The inclined portions guide the material being treated to the grinding surfaces. Furthermore, by the use of inclined portions, the collection of material in sharp corners or crevices is prevented thereby affording the self clearing and sanitary quality.

The floating stator I4 is provided with a central aperture 33 defining a valve seat 34 and a guiding surface for a winged valve stem 35 on the valve 35 This valve construction provides for the flow of the liquid material being treated to the hydraulic chamber to the larger side of the floating stator I4, thereby placing said floating stator under hydraulic pressure urging the grinding surfaces into intimate physical contact. This hydraulic control-of the floating stator l4 insures a uniform pressure between the grinding surfaces and consequently a uniform treatment of the material being processed. Therefore, the final product of the process is of uniform consistency or texture, resulting from the uniform pressure applied to the floating stator.

The control of the stator valve 35 is effected by the movement of the piston 36 in the sleeve H. The piston 36 is cushioned by a spring 31 located between the piston 3'6 and an adjustable seat member 38 preferably swiveled on the end 39 of an adjustable screw threaded e1ement40. The element 40 engages a screw-threaded bore 4| located centrally in the cap end of the cap or sleeve IS. The element 40; is provided with handles 42 and with a. lock nut 43. The closed end, of the sleeve I6 is provided with dial indicating marks to indicate in conjunction with the handles 42 the amount of adjustment given to the stator valve 35 In order to prevent leakage from the hydraulic chamber about the tubular element l!, the plates l and H are provided with opposed beveled an- 2,sec,949 w nular recesses to receive a packing 44 which is a circular ring or annulus having when in use a triangular cross section. When these plates [0 and ii are forced together the packing 44 is forced into intimate physical contact with the element I! and thereby prevents leakage. The plates l0 and H are provided with aligned apertures 45 adapted to receive a detachable sealing plug 45. The sealing plug 45 is preferably provided with screw threads engaging complementary threads in the aperture 45 of plate I l.

The entrance for the material fed to the grinder is through the head 2 as indicated by the reference character 46. The exit for the processed material extends through the casing I as indicated by the numeral 41. Exit 41 guides or conducts the material processed outwardly as the product is directed to pass forward from the pump section through space about the shaft 21 and there forced between stators 4, l4 and rotor 26. To that end the uniform thickness of the material being treated is forced to pass between the stators 4 and I4 and the rotating shear or rotor 26. The thickness of the film of material being treated is controlled automatically by the hydraulic pressure on the stator l4 or by mechanical adjustments of the mechanism l3, l5, I6, !1, l8, I9, 20, 24 or by both control means used simultaneously. The exit 41 is connected,v to an outlet tube or pipe leading to a suitable tank" in grinding and dispersing various pigmented materials, that the rate of flow control means is a most desirable feature, since the operator can better treat the various physical and chemical elements involved to produce the best results.

Very fine and minute solid particles of matter, if;

the liquid body is too thick, can easily find their exit without even coming in contact with the- Under these condigrinding or shearing faces. tions, the by-pass of some of the material being processed will result in making the film of material passing between the grinding surfaces thinner so that the solid particles can be reduced as desired. When the apertures 4:5 are open the mechanical adjustment is used to maintain the grinding faces or surfaces in close relation to operate successfully on the mixture being treated.

My invention is operated to grind solids contained in a liquid'medium. The grinding and mixing of paint ingredients can be thoroughly accomplished in my novel grinder.

When grinding and mixing of paint ingredi-' ents, it may be found desirable to have the valve 35, 35 closed and depend entirely on the mechanical adjusting means of the dual adjustment mechanism so as to prevent the paint ingredients from entering the hydraulic chamber, so that the grinder may be more readily cleansed in preparation for the subsequent treatment of food products. Furthermore, the paint ingredients, because of their adhesive qualities, may form a film of gum on the peripheral wall of the hydraulic chamber which could interfere with the intended operation of the floating stator I4. It appears to be self-evident that it would be extremely difficult to remove a paint or gum film from the peripheral wall of the hydraulic chamber.

Whenever it is desirable to prevent the material being treated from entering the hydraulic chamber, the valve '35, 35 .maybe conditioned toclose.

.It vmay be desirable to provide means (not shown) .for positively closing the valve 35, i5 when desired. Onthe other hand, if the grinder or emulsifier is to be used only for a selected variety of food products, then it is possible to omit the valve element 35, 35 and also its controlling means. The part 33, in such acase, would admit the liquid to the hydraulic chamber.

To facilitate the substantially universal use of my emulsifier and the cleansing thereof, Iprefer to use the valve to control the valve part to the hydraulic chamber.

The operation of the machine appears to be easily understood from the foregoing description. The ingredients enter the machine through the feed tube 48 which leads to a pump (not shown) From the pump, the ingredients are forced along by the pump through the inlet 46 into the machine where it is received between the grinding stators 4 and I4 and therotor 26. Initially .some of the mixture of ingredients enters the hydraulic chamber to produce pressure on the floating stator H and urge all of the grinding surfaces into intimate physical contact with the solids in the liquid mixture to crush them into the minutest particles possible in such a mixture.

In order to obtain the desired hydraulic pres sure initially the valve 35 must be open sumciently to receive the liquid mixture. The opening of the valve 35 is obtained by adjusting the screw 40, spring Bland piston 36 inwardly to open the valve 55 to provide forthe free flow of the liquid mixture into the hydraulic chamber in front of stator 14. When all of the grinding surfaces are in the most intimate contact for the successful grinding and mixing operation then the mechanical adjustment is made by turning the cap H3 forwardly while the screw 46 is held against turning. In this mechanical adjustment, the lock nut must beloosened and turned backwardly, the screw cap [6 must advance at the same speed on the tube l5 as it does on the screw 40. When the final adjustment has been made to produce the desired product then the readings on the dials can b noted and recorded for future use so that a readjustment for the same kind of material may be accurately and expeditiously made by the operator.

The finished product finds its exit through the necks 41. The necks ll have a tubular connection leading to a tank or receptacle. (not shown). The rotor or grinder 26 is propelled by the shaft 21 which is connected directly to the pump shaft (not shown) It will be observed that I have provided a novel machine for grindingand mixing that can readily be assembled and disassembled whenever conditions may require disassemblage for the replacement of worn parts, etc.

The machine can be cleansed and sterilized by forcing suitable fluids through the machine preferably alternately from the feed end and then through the front end by way of the apertures 45 and the hydraulic chamber, etc. The repeated alternate treatment thoroughly cleanses and sterilizes the machine.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved device, the operation thereof and the method of applying same to use will be readily understood and it will be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple and inexpensive means for carrying out the various objects of the invention.

-While I have particularly describedthe elements best adapted to performthe'functions set forth, it is apparent that various changes inform, proportion and in the minor details of con struction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or'sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having fully shown and described my novel machine, what I claim is:

1. In a grinding and mixing machine for solid particles in a liquid medium, said machine comprising a casing containing a shaft, a rotor and a plurality of stators therein surrounding the shaft and disposed at opposite sides of the rotor, said rotor being splined on said shaft and being rotatable and propelled by the shaft splined therein, said shaft entering thecasing through an opening of a diameter adapting it to form an inlet about the shaft for material to be treated, the stator at the opposite side of the rotor from the inlet being slidably and non-rotatably mounted in said casing and defining the movable wall of a hydraulic chamber within the casing the stator confronting the inlet being stationary and formed with an opening registering with the inletand through which said shaft passes, said rotor being formed with transverse openings establishing communication between spaces formed by recesses in confronting side faces of the rotor and the stators, said chamber having direct communication through an apertured portion of said sli'dable stator with the solid particles and liquid mixture being treated, whereby a continuing pressure may be maintained on the rotor and stators notwithstanding normal wear thereof. I

2. The construction set forthrin claim 1, in which the apertured portion of the slidable stator is provided with a valve having a winged valve stem guided by the apertured portion, in com bination with means abutting against said valve stem to open the same.

3. The construction set forth in claim 1, in which the apertured portion of the slidable stator is provided with a valve, said valve havinga winged valve stem guided by the apertured portion, in combination with a dual control means, one element of which is adjustabl movable to engage the valve stem and open the valve, the other element of said control means havinga concentric relation to the first named element, said other element having a sleeve extending through the casing and into the hydraulic chamber, said sleeve having a disc thereon within the chamber, said disc engaging said slidable stator when said element is in working adjustment Wibh said slidable stator.

4. In a grinding and mixing machine, said machine comprising a casing having heads detachably secured thereon, said casing also having a shaft, a. rotor and a plurality of stators therein, one of said stators being stationary, said rotor being splined on saidshaft and adapted to be driven. by the shaft, one of said stators being slidably and adjustably movable but being nonrotatable, one of said heads being .a rear headand having a tubular opening to receive the material being treated, said tubular opening constituting both an inlet opening and a housing for the shaft located therein and extending therethrough, said shaft having one end splined to saidrotor to propelthe same, the other end of said. shaft being .adapted for. direct: connectionwith. afeeding-means, .the other head constituting a front head comprising one stationary wall ofa hydraulic chamber and also comprising a support for a dual control'means for said machine, saidslidable stator constituting a movable'wall of said hydraulic chamber, and having a valved aperture therein, in combination with said dual control means, said support constituting a cylindrical sleeve extending outward l-y and centrally from said front head, said dual control means comprising an internally screw threaded cap, an internal cylindrical sleeve and a ring aligned with said internal sleeve, a threaded stem, .2. piston, a washer and a spring, said cylindrical sleeve being externall screw threaded. to receive said cap, the washer being swivelly connected to said screw threaded stem within said internal sleeve and ring, said internal sleeve being telescopically mounted within said cylindrical sleeve, said internal sleeve having a flange on the inside of said front head, said flange being provided with radial ribs co-extensive with said flange, said piston being slidably mounted in said internal sleeve adjacent its flange, said spring being helical and compressibly located in the internal sleeve between said washer and said piston and engaging both washer and piston, thereby urging them apart, pointer and dial means located on said cap and front head respectively to indica.e the amount of adjustment of said flange, both said cap and said stem being provided with radial handles to facilitate manipulation thereof when making adjustments, said cap having dial marks thereon to indicate the amount of adjustment of said piston as compared with the radial handles of said stem.

5. The construction set forth in claim 4, in which said front head constitutes a composite structure comprising two pla-es secured together in superposed relation, said plates having concentric, opposed but adjacent reduced portions defining an annular recess receiving a sealing gland, said gland engaging the circumference of the internal sleeve of the mechanical adjustment element.

6. The construction set forth in claim 4, in

which one of said stators is provided with an annular cavity comprising part of a temperature control means.

7. The construction set forth in claim 4, in which the machine is provided with a flow control means, said means comprising a screw threaded apertured portion in said front head, said portion having a screw threaded removable plug.

8. In a grinding and mixing machine for particles of solid material in a liquid, said particles and liquid constituting a feed mixture, said machine comprising a tubular casing having a feed head, a front head, and a tubular exit for the treated mixture, said casing containing a plurality of stators and a rotor, one stator being stationary, and one being slidable but nonrotary, in combination with a propelling shaft, said propelling shaft having a splined connection with said rotor, said slidable stator constituting one movable wall of a hydraulic chamber, said front head constituting a stationary Wall of said chamber, said slidable stator having an apertured portion slidably supporting a valve in said aperture, in still further combination with a dual control means having sealed connection with said front head, one element of said dual control being in engagement with said valve to open the same and thereby place the hydraulic chamber in direct communication with the feed mixture, the other element of said dual control means engaging the slidable stator and constl tuting a mechanical adjusting means for said: slidable stator whereby the grinding and mix: ing machine maybe operated with the automatic hydraulic control, or with the mechanical control adjustment or with both of them.

.9. The construction set forth in claim 8, in

which the rotor is less in diameter than the slid ing stator whereby a substantially annular chane nel is provided for the exit of treated material, said tubular exit being in direct communication with said channel.

10. The construction set forth in claim 8, in which the stationary stator is of substantially the same area as a cross section of the tubular casing whereby said stator may be bolted against the end edge of the wall of the casing opposite the front end of the casing. '11. The construction set forth in claim 8, in which each stator and the rotor is provided with, at least, one recessed portion, said recessed portions being circular in contour and extending radially away from the axial centers of said stators and rotor, each recessed portion terminating in beveled guiding portion leading to the treating portions of said stators and rotor. 12. The construcion set forth in claim 8, in which the slidable stator is provided with, at least, one sealing ring projecting from an annular groove thereof into sealing contact with the tubular casing. 13. The construction set forth in claim 8, in which the front head is provided with a plugged aperture in direct communication with the hy-' draulic chamber. 14. In a grinding and mixing machine fora mixture, said mixture comprising solid particles in a liquid, the sub-combination comprising a head carrying and supporting a dual control mechanism, said head having a tubular exten sion projecting centrally therefrom and adjustably engaging portions of said dual control mechanism, said dual control mechanism comprising a sleeve telescopically received with in said tubular extension an internally screw threaded cap member, a screw threaded stem, a washer, a piston, and a cushion, said sleeve extending in a sealed condition through said head said sleeve having a flange thereon on the inner side of said head, said flange being provided with radial ribs, said extension having external screw threads which engage complemental internal screw threads of said cap member, whereby a mechanical adjustment of the sleeve may be made, in combination with a valve opening means comprising said threaded stem extending through said cap and into said sleeve and being concentric therewith, said stem having said washer swiveled on one end thereof and located within the sleeve and against the cushion said cushion and piston being located within the sleeve and being in contact with each other, said piston being adapted to engage a valve stem to actuate the same. I 15. In a grinding and mixing machine for treating a mixture of small particles and a liquid,

the subcombination comprising a head havingv a tubular support thereon, said support extend-'- ing outwardly and centrally from said head in combination with a dual control means mounted on said support, said support being externally screw threaded, said control means comprising an internally screw threaded cap member, an internal cylindrical sleeve and a bearing ring in alignment with said internal sleeve, 'a screw threaded stem, a washer, a helical compression spring and a piston, said cap member being fitted over said threaded support and engaging said bearing ring, said threaded stem axially engaging said cap member and extending therethrough, said washer being swiveled on one end of said stem and located in said bearing ring, said sleeve extending through said head and having a flange thereon, said flange having ribs thereon, said piston being slidably fitted in said sleeve adjacent the flange of said sleeve, said spring being located in said sleeve and engaging both said washer and said piston and normally urging them apart, both said cap member and said stem being provided with handles extending radially therefrom, whereby adjustments may be easily and readil made by the operator of the machine.

JOHN MARCO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 22,616 Barker Jan. 18, 1859 203,127 Elting Apr. 30, 1878 323,561 Cadwgan Aug. 4, 1885 365,717 Winchell June 28, 1887 380,180 C'adwgan Mar. 27, 1888 1,035,304 Bausman Aug. 13, 1912 1,762,379 Bates June 10, 1930 2,051,716 Johnson Aug. 18, 1936 2,204,057 Swartz June 11, 1940 2,204,140 Langbein June 11, 1940 2,255,071 Marco Sept. 9, 1941 2,262,024 Marco Nov. 11, 1941 2,445,617 Hofmann July 20, 1948 

